entomology








noun

  1. the branch of zoology dealing with insects.

noun

  1. the branch of science concerned with the study of insects
n.

1766, from French entomologie (1764), coined from Greek entomon “insect” + -logia “study of” (see -logy). Entomon is neuter of entomos “having a notch or cut (at the waist),” from en “in” (see en- (2)) + temnein “to cut” (see tome).

So called by Aristotle in reference to the segmented division of insect bodies. Compare insect. Related: Entomological. Hybrid insectology (1766, from French insectologie, 1744) is not much used.

I have given the name insectology to that part of natural history which has insects for its object; that of entomology … would undoubtedly have been more suitable … but its barbarous sound terryfy’d me. [Charles Bonnet’s English translation of his “Contemplation de la nature,” 1766]

n.

  1. The study of insects.

  1. The scientific study of insects.
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